My sister, Jen, called me then. We had such a lovely talk. I was so happy to hear from her; I'd been hoping she would call.

Then I boarded the bus back to the CBD (specifically, the bus depot at Taylor Square) and discovered that there ARE friendly Sydney bus drivers! He was so friendly that he pissed off a sour old man who had no interest in being entertained. It's too bad that one man in a bad mood can ruin a perfectly lovely bus ride.

Once home, I got ready for my party.

Andrea brought me cake and presents (more on that later in my journal, I think). Then my Cdn friend Edgar came over and we started into the coffee martinis.

My family called. I also got to talk to Kendra, who was there with my brothers to celebrate my Dad's birthday belatedly. It was the first time that I've talked to Kendra and Will since I've been here.

I got off the phone and immediately wanted to call back. Tears welled up. Andrea hugged me and I went back to the party.

My roommates Jim and Nowell took me to The CourtHouse/Judgement Bar at Taylor Square around 1:30am. Several horrible men tried to chat me up. One was downright insulting! Can't figure out why Aussie men are so bad at chatting me up.

But it was all made better by the interesting conversation that I had with Jim about appearances and confidence and many other things. Nowell announced to us that we are engaged. We celebrated that with a drink.

And today I celebrated my hangover with a 3-hour sunlit lounge in my backyard with a travel magazine and coffee. And then some really greasy take-away fish and chips. Mm, grease.

Wednesday, July 23, 2003

Worked all day today and then went to the Art Gallery (Art After Hours) to see the old "Moulin Rouge"; a film about the life of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. Interesting film. Nothing like the modern Moulin Rouge movie, though.

Got a beautiful birthday card from my sister, Jen along with some lovely photos!

Yesterday, I got a birthday package from Heather and I'm wearing the present she sent today. Andrea was SO jealous!

Then I rushed home, showered and rushed over to Blackbird Cafe in Darling Harbour for dinner. It was Sabine's birthday, so we celebrated with a lovely dinner. Sabine and I are also having a party at my house this Saturday to celebrate both our birthdays.

Today I worked again, of course.

There was a new window display at Spirit Level, a new mural in Central Station's tunnel and a new view as I crossed the footbridge, since the sun is rising earlier now... my walk to work was a whole new world!

After work, Andrea and I went to a new photo exhibit at the State Library. It was outstanding. What an amazing photographer.

Then we had coffee and chatted about destiny at Gloria Jeans, went lipstick shopping and walked home.

Saturday, July 19, 2003

Yesterday, after work, I took a free* ferry ride to Balmain and did the historical walk through the lovely suburb.

Then I met Andrea and walked to King's Cross to meet Michelle, Dominic, Victoria, Sabine and Bette for drinks at the World Bar (AKA: the teapot bar). The Pyrmont gang (ie: everyone except me and Andrea) left after one teapot and viewing my latest photos. Andrea and I stayed for another teapot (pots of shooters like Creme Caramel, Chocoholic, Tropicana...) and a bottle of wine.

We talked about our past loves and lusts, our crushes and how we were very happy to have met each other. These are the kinds of things you talk about when you're drunk.

Then we made a late night dash to the Coles Express to buy a big bag of Doritos to eat on our way home.

* note that this ferry ride normally costs about $4.50, but I'm a dishonest, horrible person and managed to get the ride for free by falling asleep in the sun and ignoring the ticket man when he came around.

Option #1: find a ride with someone via hostel notice boards
Pro: cheap (only have to share the cost of petrol).
Con: you take your chances on who you drive with and if you'll find someone going your way.

Option #2: OzExperiencePro: Hop on/off options to places that I might not otherwise go see, but are interesting, with a tour guide driver
Con: Young party-seeking backpackers that I might find annoying, stopping in places I might not really WANT to stop in, a bit more expensive since it is like a tour ($226)

Friday, July 18, 2003

Happy Birthday Dad!!

(His birthday is actually on the 18th, but due to timezone differences, it wasn't yet his birthday when I was online yesterday.)

I miss my dad a lot. We do get to talk on the phone sometimes (like last weekend, we had a nice long chat), but it's not the same, nor can I call any time I feel like it. Plus, I can't even help him eat his birthday cake!

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

It was worth the price! Probably the best show that I've seen in Sydney.

Toe-tapping, booty-shaking, chair dancing fun. And I got the shivers from this one woman's rich voice.

Went with Andrea and my friend Natasha from work.

At one point, 2 men strip down to their boxers and duel. Natasha and I looked at each other, eyebrows raised.

Yes. Please.

Ohmygosh the bodies on these dancers! It really takes your breath away. They were all amazing specimens of human beings. Although it made me feel pathetically, tragically unfit, it was also worth skipping the gym for.

I told Joanne that I decided this weekend to move out of Sydney in August.

It was a tough decision, as I really love Sydney. But events have conspired to make this the right choice.

Joanne was really nice about it; told me that it's been fun having me. How sweet.

So now comes the difficult part:
- research/organize my getting OUT of Sydney (my next travel plans)
- packing up and sending some stuff home
- doing all the things that I have left to do in Sydney
- seeing and saying goodbye to all my friends here

I still have some time; about 3 weeks or so.

I'm part excited, part sad and part scared. I think that's a healthy mix.

Saturday, July 12, 2003

Sydney Swans won!!

In other news, I'm drunk and I would like to write to Sarah right now, but I'm afraid of writing one of those weird drunken emails.

Went to "O" Bar for Anica's birthday (she's a girl I work with). She turned 22 and I felt a little old. In number only, because I don't feel old at all, even though my birthday is quickly approaching. I feel like a child; so someone's clearly made a mistake with my age.

Listening to Morecheeba on the household CD player in the dark while reading Sarah's blog. Magic.

Tuesday, July 08, 2003

Monday I went to Sydney's Skytower or Centrepoint at night. Great view; probably too expensive. Had a cool ride at the bottom, though. Very touristy.

Walked through Hyde Park at night (I know, again?) and then had yummy Thai food on Oxford St. and then went to King's Cross (the red light district) for teapot shooters.

Home late. Up early.

Yesterday, after work, Andrea and I saw the Wim Wenders photo exhibit at the MCA. The Museum is free, but the exhibit cost $10, which I think was too much.

Good exhibit, though.

Then went out for Indian food and drinks. Although I had meant to go to the pay-what-you-can night at the Belvoir to see The Homecoming. A friend of mine is in it. I was sad when they told me it was sold out.

Still don't have a roommate but found out that I can live here by myself for another three weeks. My housemates are so nice!

Sunday, July 06, 2003

Then Andrea and I went for Vietnamese food (it made me miss Jane). Andrea is just back from her outback tour that she absolutely LOVED.

When we went to Scubar for drinks, we met a guy who might actually come and look at my site, so I should mention him. He didn't want to talk about the fact that he's in the British Army, so perhaps I shouldn't mention that. He's only in Sydney for 2 days, so we tried to help him figure out what to see/do in those 2 days.

Wednesday, July 02, 2003

Well Canada Day was a BLAST!

Went with my friend Kat (former Rye student who lives in Sydney now) to the Victoria Cross Bar. It's the official Canadian bar in Sydney. It was so dedicated by some important dignitary and they even have a plaque on the wall commemorating this fact.

They served Labbatt's Blue and Canadian Club sponsored the event, so I drank CC Club all night.

They played Canadian music. Lots of Tragically Hip, Kim Mitchell, Colin James, Bryan Adams, Tom Cochrane, The Guess Who and even a Bran Van 2000 song - but no Our Lady Peace! Even so, it was so fantastic to hear so many of my favourite songs/bands.

There was Canadian Trivia (ie: who was the second PM?) and Molson Canadian commercials and then the main event:

Sorry about the lack of updates. We had to turn off our Internet access for a couple of days as we'd reached our package's download limit. I know, I know, I should've gone to an Internet cafe. But I figured everyone could wait a couple of days until July 1st.

Tonight I'm going out to North Sydney to celebrate Canada Day with other Sydneysider Canadians!

Last night I saw Bowling for Columbine at Govinda's. It was outstanding. I've never been MORE proud to be Canadian. I found it funny that they interviewed people from Sarnia. My mom is from Sarnia. I hate to say it, but I DO lock my door.

I went to Govinda's with Michelle (Vancouverite) and her roommates, who are all amazing people!! I found out that me and one of her roommates have birthdays this month around the same time, so we're going to plan a joint bday party!

After the movie, we went to a pub out in King's Cross and got a teapot of some tropical shots. Very yum. Met a cabdriver who speaks 10 languages! Got home late and woke up early to work. Ugh.

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SATURDAY
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Went to Michelle's apt for dinner. She made the most amazing salmon dinner!! She's a fantastic cook!

She also has fantastic roommates. WE all went out to the The Orient pub in The Rocks. I didn't know about it's reputation before I went. It was a total meat market. Some guy asked me to dance then dragged me around the pub a couple of times, then talked incoherently, then asked me if I wanted a drink and made me pay for it. Weird.

Met Andreas and David there, who came with us when we left to go to Pontoon, in Darling Harbour. David had some hidden salsa talents, which he was happy to show off. I need to learn how to dance. It looks so cool and is so fun! Too bad I suck at it.